Black and White Bush

What we have in the White House is a leader with a black and white mentality in more ways than one. "W" seems to see everything in terms of "either/ or's", tuxedos, and bottom line- business and his personal wealth which he sees black print on white paper. And of course, the oil. Follow me on this one.

I just watched his news conference of October 30 at 10 AM. He used the time to scold Congressional Democrats on their attempt to tie in multi-billion dollar spending request for the Iraq/Afghanistan wars to the Children's' Health Insurance bill which he recently vetoed. Mr. Bush called this attempt irresponsible on the part of Congress. If I remember his statement correctly, he was outraged that Congress jeopardize the lives of those defending our country against terrorism. (He is in denial about the fact that he has put our soldiers in harms' way as middle men in a tribal power struggle and did it with the claim of WMD's which weren't there.)

By attaching the newly rewritten SCHIP bill to his war funding request Congress may see success in passing the bill and giving our children needed health care. (Does he really prefer emergency hospital visits to proactive health care as he said before? He obviously doesn't pay the bills like ordinary citizens.) He referred to this Congressional addendum as irresponsible social service spending. Health care for our children????? The very people our country will look to for our future leaders, soldiers, workers? Is he serious or simply a product of black and white thinking- maybe it's the tuxedos types he's lived with all his life, or the business black and white figures, or simply narrow-minded outlook?

The soldiers and the children- both are important. If we can pay Blackwater and Halliburton companies exhorbitant fees, why can't we care for the basic needs of our children?

The Dreaded "SIWA's"

SIWA's are things that ' stand in the way of ' other things, better things. Some suggestions for happier living:

Don't let vocal public opinion 'stand in the way of' voicing your own opinion.

Don't let hesitancy 'stand in the way of ' action.

Don't let fear 'stand in the way of ' your own success.

Don't let PERFECT 'stand in the way of ' GOOD.

Talking Flip Flop Politics

Quite honestly, I can't imagine anything worse than having George W give anyone a complement. His "Good job, Brownie," "I have full confidence in my Secretary of Defense, " "Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki is the right man for the job in Iraq," comments all seem to be a precursor to the recipients immediate downfall. Is "W" the modern day Brutus? A complement? A kiss? Downfall to follow?

It seems quite amusing to me that "W" was so quick to claim John Kerry changed his mind or 'flip flopped.' George W seems to be the master flopper.

His talk about a graceful exit from Iraq only when victory is achieved is delusionary. The healthiest exit this American citizen looks forward to is his.

November 6

It's election day's eve. You have less than 24 hours to plan a time tomorrow when you will pull the lever, punch the chad, go to the polls, express your opinion, practice your civic responsibility, and enjoy the privilege that being a citizen of the United States affords you: THE VOTE!

The Fairy Blogmother doesn't believe in those who say, "My vote won't count." That statement is pure bull chips. Don't let anyone, ANYONE tell you that. Call them on that statement's falseness, vote against them, and yes, make them feel guilty.

But the most important reason for voting is one of respect:

No matter what anyone says, the greatest insult and act of disrespect towards the men and women in our Military Forces is to fail to vote in our own country. That, I believe is the ultimate "F U."

A Pie Graph of YOU

Finally, a use for that mathematical skill you were first taught in elementary school: the pie graph. I offer it as a way to look at your life, assess it, and if you choose, to realign your priorities.

Compose of pie graph of your life's daily activities. Include some basic categories like: Work, Education, Play/Hobbies, Relationships, etc. Now assign each category a slice of the pie you call YOU. What amount of the whole do you allow each category to take up time in your day? If you're honest, you may find the results interesting, and your life in need of some tweaking? A well balaced pie is a thing of beauty, while a tilting pie is bound to fall.

A Complement Jar

How to best start your day? My advice is to begin collecting those complements you receive daily in a jar. If you're a computer person, make it 'virtual' but if not, get yourself a nice shiny jar or glass vase and bright paper cards for those wonderful things people say about you. Maybe you should carry a pad with you to jot down the daily complements received? And each evening write these lovely thoughts on bright colored paper and toss them in the complement jar in your bedroom. How better to start your morning then a reading of just how wonderful you really are? It's a way to always wake up on the right side of the bed. If it's virtual, you can dig into the jar like cookies and enjoy a pick-up of spirits as needed sans the calories.

But your flaws and faults, you ask? Where to keep them? Why that's the reason you need the printed version of your wonderful qualities. We always seem to harbor the criticisms close, usually in the upper abdomen. It's time to dwell on the positive.

When peer pressure overtakes common sense

Call it vacillating, giving in, selling you soul, or just plain retreating. Whatever you call it, when you behave thusly, you won't feel good about yourself for it. And I'm not saying that retreating from a situation doesn't have a place in your life, it does. Sometimes it's wiser to go along or retreat, but if you make this behavior a way of life, you simply won't have one of your own choosing. To put it visually, you'll always be in the passenger seat, and that's not the way to get where you want to go.

Before the 'feminist' movement, this submissive attitude was taught from mother to daughter: "Know your place," Don't be difficult." "Don't make waves." "Be nice." "You want to be liked, don't you?" Those words took their toll. Years of observing this behavior and hearing the words couldn't be expected to change attitudes and way of life in a generation or two or four.. Humans just don't do: "Do as I say and not as I do," well.

To make real behavior and attitude changes, humans need to witness the success that one can achieve by being assertive--- by being their own person and still caring about other human beings. So if you can't find such a person, one who truly marches to her own drummer without tramping on the whole parade, maybe it's up to you? Get out of the passenger seat and into the drivers' seat. Others need to follow your style. The only thing you have to lose is that constant feeling of frustration.